In this Phase II trial, the investigators will evaluate the combination of gemcitabine, carboplatin, and panitumumab in the treatment of patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. In addition, to assess the efficacy of this combination, tumor tissue will be examined for the presence of various markers, including K-ras and PI3K-activating mutations, EGFR, PTEN, and p53. Correlation of tumor response with marker expression may define a patient subset that is particularly responsive to treatment with a panitumumab-containing combination.

Measured from Day 1 of study drug administration to disease progression - defined by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1 as a 20% increase in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions and/or appearance of one or more new lesions and/or unequivocal progression of existing non-target lesions

Estimated as the proportion of subjects who meet the criteria for complete or partial response (CR or PR) per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v 1.1 - for target lesions assessed by MRI: Complete Response (CR) is defined as disappearance of all target lesions; Partial Response (PR) is defined as >=30% decrease in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions.

Number of Treatment-related Toxicities Occurring in ≥10% of Patients as a Measure of Tolerability and Toxicity [ Time Frame: every 6 weeks until discontinuation of treatment, expected average of 18 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]

Assessments made through analysis of treatment-related adverse events and serious adverse events

Correlation of Biomarker Expressions of EGFR, K-ras, p53, PTEN Expression, and PI3K in Triple-negative Breast Cancer With Response to Treatment With the Combination of Gemcitabine, Carboplatin, and Panitumumab [ Time Frame: 18 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

All patients will receive a pre-emptive skin care regimen during panitumumab therapy to reduce skin toxicity. Treatment cycles will be repeated every 14 days (2 weeks). During each treatment, panitumumab will be administered first, then carboplatin, then gemcitabine. All drugs will be administered according to standard guidelines. Patients will be re-evaluated for response after completion of 3 cycles (6 weeks) of treatment. Patients with objective response or stable disease will continue treatment. Subsequent re-evaluations will occur every 6 weeks. Patients will continue treatment with all three drugs until tumor progression, or until unacceptable toxicity occurs. If patients experience toxicity caused by gemcitabine/carboplatin and are continuing to benefit from treatment, panitumumab can be continued as a single agent (at the same dose and schedule), at the discretion of the investigator, until disease progression occurs.

Women of childbearing potential must agree to use adequate contraception (per institutional standard of care) during treatment and until 6 months after the last administration of investigational products.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients with brain metastases are not eligible.

History of another primary cancer, with the exception of the following:

Curatively treated in situ cervical cancer;

Curatively resected non-melanoma skin cancer;

Other primary solid tumor curatively treated with no known active disease present and no treatment administered for >=5 years prior to study enrollment.

History of interstitial lung disease (e.g., pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis), or any evidence of interstitial lung disease on the CT scan of the chest performed at the baseline visit.

Prior therapy with gemcitabine or carboplatin in the metastatic setting is not permitted. Patients who received gemcitabine or carboplatin as part of adjuvant therapy are eligible, as long as recurrence was first documented >12 months after the last exposure to the drug(s).

Major surgery within 28 days or minor surgery within 14 days of study enrollment.

Requirement of chronic use of immunosuppressive agents (e.g., methotrexate, cyclosporine).

Any investigational agent or therapy <=30 days prior to study enrollment.

History of any medical or psychiatric condition or laboratory abnormality that, in the opinion of the investigator, may increase the risks associated with the study participation or administration of the investigational products, or that may interfere with the interpretation of the results.

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00894504